Bingham Ray: 1954-2012

Bingham Ray was such a welcome figure -- with an irrepressible, sometimes wicked wit -- on the independent film scene that his sudden death Jan. 23, from complications of a stroke at age 57, sent shockwaves through the Sundance Film Festival. Ray, who leaves behind his wife, Nancy King, and three children, had been on his way to Park City to scout movies in his newest role as executive director of the San Francisco International Film Festival. Throughout his influential career, he had an eye for interesting, challenging films. First at October Films, which he co-founded, then at United Artists, Ray introduced U.S. moviegoers to modern European masters like Mike Leigh and Lars von Trier and championed American upstarts like Michael Moore. Says producer and sales agent Cassian Elwes, "If it wasn't for him and Harvey Weinstein, there would be no independent film business." – Gregg Kilday